Vin removal

[DJMAN]

Can I legally pull my Vin. plate off my wrecked cab and put it on another cab? I want to get another cab off CL.

Thanks for the info

[cheyenne shortstep]

Not in California, considered VIN tampering. What THEY don't know can't hurt you.

[speedfreak369]

Im pretty sure it's illeagal.
Posted via Mobile Device

[67c10rustbuket]

That's a dont ask dont tell subject...

[leddzepp]

It is illegal.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jocko]

yep. i wouldn't attempt it. especially in CA... Might have to get a salvage title (if there isn't a current one associate with it) for the new cab. But then your cab and fram vins won't match either...

[70cst]

It's my understanding ...

This is a NO NO even if you don't tell anyone its still a No No.

[Lee H]

Where ya going to get the rivets?

[med.bronze]

wow this is good info, I had no idea...

[ChevLoRay]

I've seen Rosette rivets priced at $80/pr.

I've also been told that having the title that matches the VIN on the chassis, is all you need.

[med.bronze]

I suppose it varies state by state too...

[leddzepp]

It is illegal under federal law to remove a vin plate.

[jhaymon]

no it's legal. you need a bill of sale from the cab in question and a good title for the wrecked cab. you file some papers with the tax office are motor vehicle office(whatever you do it your state) and they give you a waver provided the vin numbers on the new cab dont come back stolen or in question. there's probably not many people other than professional body shops that would ever go through all this.

think about it from a different point of veiw though if you dont wanna go through all the legal b/s.. you pull the vin plates for blasting or b pillar repair and it's legal to put them back on.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by jhaymon

you pull the vin plates for blasting or b pillar repair and it's legal to put them back on.

No, it is illegal. I know people do it all the time...but it is still illegal. If it were legal, why is the plate affixed with special rosette rivets?

[DJMAN]

Thanks for the info. Numbers don"t match frame anyways (diff frame, diff motor, Diff cab.... hell diff driver .

[Vixvega]

If you have a good title with that VIN showing, no liens or any other problems, swap them. When you bought the truck were photos taken of the VIN plate or the correct rivets? The DOT actually has a lot more in the line of concerns than a replacement cab on an old truck. I would NOT actually take it to a police station or DOT office and advertise it. If you plan on keeping the vehicle and have a title in your name with the vin matching the one on the plate and do not plan on using the vehicle in commission of a felony you will be very safe.

[Liz]

sorry to disagree, but that is really bad advice. Yes it is done.. but yes they do check. Not often, but it is checked. Years ago someone on this site got a stolen truck back that had the vins changed on it. How?? They checked to numbers under the cab to match.

If you want to do so, its your choice.. but the best option is to go about it the proper way.

[DURG]

Everyone always gets the same answer that it is illegal and then they do it anyway. If you plan on doing it regardless of the answer..... just do it and don't tell or ask anyone about it.

The only way two people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead.

[Josh]

There are several states that will check and see if its been tampered when you transfer title. You can get in some serious trouble and/or lose your truck over it. Not worth it IMO....

http://www.chevellestuff.com/misc/vin_tampering.htm

[Maddoxdb]

How much of a cab can you cut out and replace due to rust or damage due to an accident? I would think as much as ya need to. Could a person for instance save a part of a door pillar with the vin plate and put it on a rust free cab? The vin plate or rivets wouldn't be tampered with. Sure it'd be more work than just replacing the plate but would that classify it as legal? Dustin
Posted via Mobile Device

[DURG]

I believe you can cut stuff up to make repairs but if you end up transferring the VIN tag and follow all the other rules, you are going to end up with a "salvage" or "rebuilt" title or registration. It can get really messy, IF anyone knows about it.

[sjarrett71]

I would recommend contacting your state highway patrol inspection division or the department of motor vehicles. Most times, if you show documentation of what you are doing, they will issue a new vin, or classify it as a constructed vehicle or something to that effect and provide a new vin. Whatever you do, don't just do it. There are several law enforcement officers out there that are "old truck savy" and may just look and start to ask questions.

[ole dollor]

it is illegal....i would not do it....there is other ways to do it....you cant tamper with any serial number on anything , guns,vehicles, boats,t.v. any thing that has one, can not be changed or removed or ground off....

[Hammerforhire]

Hi DJMan,

I'm in the same situation. My cab was rusted out and I found a rust free cab on Craigslist so I bought it. After two trips to DMV and some paper work from the the previous owner of the cab. I was told that I had to go to The CHP office for a vin verification. I was also told that the title stays with frame not with the cab and I was told they would assign a new vin #. I just haven't taken the time to do it yet but I probably should. Yes it is illegal to tamper with the vin. And it's not worth it if some how you got caught.
Posted via Mobile Device

[67c10rustbuket]

I have seen it done many times on here and locally, frame swaps, vin swaps, cab swaps etc. But I personally place a lot more value on a truck with matching: Vin plate with correct rivets, Spid Vin, and frame Vin. This is why I chose to fix my "rustbuket" because I dont want to have a franken truck and break the law and reduce the resale value. I hate the idea of taping off the vin plate and painting around it but the value of a legit Vin is worth more than the other option. It is illegal and a federal crime and seeing others having big problems buying an out of state truck I don't want any of those headaches. Soon the day will come when states will confiscate and destroy our gas guzzlers over a mismatched frame vin or just wait till they start noticing the vin rivets. I beleive trim tags makes replacement vin tags and used to sell the rivets but no longer, I have heard in other forums that even posessing the vin rivets is a federal crime. Dont mess with the Vin plate!